Linear module brings down the price barrier

Edited by the Manufacturingtalk editorial team Dec 3, 2001

Linear Drives, manufacturer of the acclaimed ThrustTube range of tubular linear motors, has released its latest and smallest module product.

Linear Drives, manufacturer of the acclaimed ThrustTube range of tubular linear motors, has released its latest and smallest module product.

The new device, called the ThrustTube Micro precision module, opens up new horizons for linear motor actuation.

Innovative design and materials at the heart of the new miniaturised ThrustTube Micro motor are now integrated with a precision bearing rail to form the Micro module.

The module is constructed using precision machined, aluminium extruded backing bar and a miniaturised wide rail bearing assembly from THK.

The motor block itself weighs just 70g and is constructed from advanced polymer and epoxy to minimise weight, and therefore inertia.

As a result, accelerations of 30G are achievable while retaining sub-micron positional accuracy.

Using polymers also eliminates eddy currents in the device, making the new motor exceptionally energy efficient and able to achieve speeds of up to 30m/sec.

Applications already identified for the ThrustTube Micro modules include: precision Z-axis control on placement machinery in electronics manufacturing; component handling; intricate packaging processes; semiconductor wafer handling; photonic stages; smooth scanning operations; and general high speed point-to-point movement for light payloads.

A range of ThrustTube Micro solutions offer four motor block sizes from smaller than a matchbox running on a thrust rod of 11mm diameter with lengths up to 800mm.

For more information visit : www.thrusttube.com.